Linus/x-ray update

[biblionerd]

Sorry, the inlaws were here yesterday so in all the fun I forgot to update! X-ray turned out normal. Over the past few days I went researching and realized that his Prevacid (that he's been on since he was 4 months old) has chronic bloody watery diarrhea as a side effect and nausea/vomiting as well. So... Kind of ticked the pedi didn't even think to look at a GI drug he's on as a potential culprit for the GI issues he's having. They called back this morning and said the dr said that could definitely be the cause so to stop it ASAP. I didn't give it to him last night and I could be reaching but I swear his poop is firmer. No it definitely is firmer, but it could be unrelated I guess. He ate dinner (which he usually gets after his Prevacid) without throwing up last night and had more of an appetite. I'm sure if it is from this it will take a few days at least to show any huge change. His butt is still about the same. It is so scarred; it looks horrible. Everything is closed though now so that feels much better. Just some yeast also from keeping it totally covered I'm sure.

God I feel awful. Do you think I'm expecting too much for the pedi to have thought of this instead of me?!

[jaime183]

I hope he continues to feel better. I'd be pissed if I figured something like that out and the paid professional didn't. But I get stuck on those kinds of things...

[mala]

Yeah, I'd be ticked at the doc too!

[ashleydl83]

Yeah I'd be pretty upset. We went through something like with DS1 for 3 weeks until my mom mentioned a possible lactose intolerance. The light bulb went off, and sure enough, that's what it was. When I mentioned it to his pedi, he was all "Oh yeah, I don't know why I didn't think of that." All those unnecessary tests and rough days...

Glad he seems to be getting better!

[Deleted]

Your pedi should have definitely thought of that. That's unacceptable. I would look for a new one.

[sno&2peas]

I'm glad the x-ray was normal and hope his butt heals quickly! No, you are not expecting too much from your pedi. When he goes for an appointment they have the meds he's on and should know the side affects of such drugs and if not look them up. Unfortunately, doctors are human and they do miss things so definitely be "your best health advocate" and your kids also. I found out the hard way and now I might be hypersensitive but I have questioned diagnoses in the past and I was right on (gallbladder failing, thyroid failing, my cancer)... You know your body best and obviously you live with your children and see how they react to things. The worst thing is not bringing something up if you suspect it. It doesn't hurt to question doctors. There are a lot of good doctors out there and if your pedi doesn't seem like someone you think is "on point" definitely find another! I have a wonderful team because I researched and formed relationships with my doctors. 

[ruby412]

I'd be upset too! I'm glad you figured things out though.

[Deleted]

Poor bubby! I would be upset too. But, as PP said, sometimes doctors make mistakes too. You need to go with your gut on this one, is the Pedi normally right on? Do you still trust him? If so, I would stick with him. If you are constantly needing to double check him I would find a new one.

[erniebufflo]

I hope that fixes it. Hubby says he wouldn't have considered it chronic til after 3 weeks, so your pedi didn't drop the ball, but that Prevacid is less effective and more prone to side effects than Zantac in kids, though the reverse is true for adults.

[laurack]

aww sorry the pedi didn't mention it as a possibility but glad you may have found the culprit! And of course, glad you found out nothing serious was wrong from the xray!

Sending healing butt vibes to poor little Linus!

[rxbeth]

Hmmm...from what I'm seeing on the drug from my professional sources, diarrhea can be a side effect (1-5%) but it seems very odd for it to pop up a year after he's been on it. What I'm seeing is that it can cause CDAD (clostridium difficule associated diarrhea) which could cause bloody watery diarrhea but that wouldn't just be something to go away on it's own (and was usually more seen in the elderly and those on antibiotics). That would require treatment. Have they tested him for C. difficile?

Poor little baby.

[bebeetmoi]

I'm glad to hear the results came back normal! But I would definitely have a talk with your doctor regarding the medicine he was on and what his options are going forward.

[biblionerd]

Feb 19, 2013 10:22:48 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Hmmm...from what I'm seeing on the drug from my professional sources, diarrhea can be a side effect (1-5%) but it seems very odd for it to pop up a year after he's been on it. What I'm seeing is that it can cause CDAD (clostridium difficule associated diarrhea) which could cause bloody watery diarrhea but that wouldn't just be something to go away on it's own (and was usually more seen in the elderly and those on antibiotics). That would require treatment. Have they tested him for C. difficile?

Poor little baby.

i guess the bloody watery diarrhea part would be c.diff related, but even just "regular" diarrhea is listed as one iof the most common side effects on prevacids sheet right? And yeah, he definitely was tested for c.diff.

Mine said 3 weeks also, which is why I was at my wits end but just dealing with it. She said viral diarrhea can easily be 2 weeks+.

[mamasaurus]

I would be pissed at the doctor, too. I hope his little tushie keeps improving!

[rxbeth]

Feb 19, 2013 10:55:39 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

Feb 19, 2013 10:22:48 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Hmmm...from what I'm seeing on the drug from my professional sources, diarrhea can be a side effect (1-5%) but it seems very odd for it to pop up a year after he's been on it. What I'm seeing is that it can cause CDAD (clostridium difficule associated diarrhea) which could cause bloody watery diarrhea but that wouldn't just be something to go away on it's own (and was usually more seen in the elderly and those on antibiotics). That would require treatment. Have they tested him for C. difficile?

Poor little baby.

i guess the bloody watery diarrhea part would be c.diff related, but even just "regular" diarrhea is listed as one iof the most common side effects on prevacids sheet right? And yeah, he definitely was tested for c.diff.

Mine said 3 weeks also, which is why I was at my wits end but just dealing with it. She said viral diarrhea can easily be 2 weeks+.

Yes, regular diarrhea is listed as a side effect (1-5%) but I wouldn't think it would suddenly show up after a year.  If it was going to be a problem, I would think you would see it early on and then it either goes away or the drug needs to be changed. That is my experience on side effects with most drugs, except those that develop over an extended period (such as tardive dyskinesia with metoclopramide as an example).

I'm just playing devil's advocate here because even if you had asked me about it and even if I knew about he med, I would have likely thought that isn't the issue. 

I don't want to come off as antagonistic, just offering a different point of view from a medical professional.  You know I love you and your adorable little babies.  It's horrible that Linus is having to go through this. I really hope he's feeling better soon.

[carawestt]

I hope he continues to feel better. Poor little Linus

[spaghetticat]

I would be mad too. I'm sorry. I hope he continues to improve.

[charlielove]

I hope everything continues to clear up for little Linus. I'm happy to hear that the x-ray was okay.

[biblionerd]

Feb 19, 2013 11:20:15 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Feb 19, 2013 10:55:39 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

i guess the bloody watery diarrhea part would be c.diff related, but even just "regular" diarrhea is listed as one iof the most common side effects on prevacids sheet right? And yeah, he definitely was tested for c.diff.

Mine said 3 weeks also, which is why I was at my wits end but just dealing with it. She said viral diarrhea can easily be 2 weeks+.

Yes, regular diarrhea is listed as a side effect (1-5%) but I wouldn't think it would suddenly show up after a year.  If it was going to be a problem, I would think you would see it early on and then it either goes away or the drug needs to be changed. That is my experience on side effects with most drugs, except those that develop over an extended period (such as tardive dyskinesia with metoclopramide as an example).

I'm just playing devil's advocate here because even if you had asked me about it and even if I knew about he med, I would have likely thought that isn't the issue. 

I don't want to come off as antagonistic, just offering a different point of view from a medical professional.  You know I love you and your adorable little babies.  It's horrible that Linus is having to go through this. I really hope he's feeling better soon.

Oh no, not at all! I appreciate the input. She just made it sound like it was one of those things that could build up over time because of the way it affects their digestive system and I keep reading warnings about extended use and avoid using it any long than possible because of xxx. So I assumed it could develop, but maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, hopefully he's a fluke and it fixes it anyway! I'M TIRED OF POOOOOOP!!!!!

[biblionerd]

and thanks so much everyone!

[eav2c]

These days I don't give much credit to doctors esp. after my pregnancy complications that my OB and his nurses refused to acknowledge and I literally had to diagnose myself and finally after I had to go to extreme circumstances to prove them wrong did they listen. I mean no offense to doctors in general but I think there is a general protocol and standards that they follow. They seem unable, often times, to think outside of the box, lol. It's the same for every patient with those symptoms and they treat, or tend to, the same way. I think Linus' pedi should have looked at his medications, I would think that would be the first thing to look at??, but I bet he just was following a standard "to-do" from some medical book or previously dealing with something similar. 

I'm sorry that Linus has been dealing with this (and you too!) and I hope taking him off the medicine does the trick. You are good thinking and I applaud you for that. I sometimes think Dr. Mom is better than any doctor at all. 

[Deleted]

Feb 19, 2013 9:20:05 GMT -5 mala said:

Yeah, I'd be ticked at the doc too!

same here. I hope he keeps feeling better though!

[pippilongstocking]

Poor little guy, I hope he is feeling better soon!

[dojo]

So relieved!!

[rxbeth]

biblionerd - what concerns me about this situation is why Linus was still on the Prevacid? (and this concern is directed at the doctor, not you).  Had you been instructed at any point to try to take him off?  Was he still having symptoms?

[biblionerd]

Feb 19, 2013 22:28:58 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

biblionerd - what concerns me about this situation is why Linus was still on the Prevacid? (and this concern is directed at the doctor, not you).  Had you been instructed at any point to try to take him off?  Was he still having symptoms?

rxbeth - Yeah, the Zantac never worked so he was on the prevacid early. We tried taking him off at 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and another time since. He started refluxing and puking almost the next day after trying. Who knows what's going on. The poop was about the same today but he just puked soooooooo much after dinner. sigh... 

[rxbeth]

Feb 19, 2013 22:43:12 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

Feb 19, 2013 22:28:58 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

biblionerd - what concerns me about this situation is why Linus was still on the Prevacid? (and this concern is directed at the doctor, not you).  Had you been instructed at any point to try to take him off?  Was he still having symptoms?

rxbeth - Yeah, the Zantac never worked so he was on the prevacid early. We tried taking him off at 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and another time since. He started refluxing and puking almost the next day after trying. Who knows what's going on. The poop was about the same today but he just puked soooooooo much after dinner. sigh... 

Did your doctor or pharmacist talk to you about rebound acid production?

You've been giving him the Prevacid for so long that as soon as you stop it (especially cold turkey) that he's going to hypersecrete acid and actually have a flair for a while until his body adjusts.  We usually recommend not stopping cold turkey and decreasing the dose gradually to minimize the extra acid. 

[biblionerd]

Feb 19, 2013 22:53:49 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Feb 19, 2013 22:43:12 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

rxbeth - Yeah, the Zantac never worked so he was on the prevacid early. We tried taking him off at 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and another time since. He started refluxing and puking almost the next day after trying. Who knows what's going on. The poop was about the same today but he just puked soooooooo much after dinner. sigh... 

Did your doctor or pharmacist talk to you about rebound acid production?

You've been giving him the Prevacid for so long that as soon as you stop it (especially cold turkey) that he's going to hypersecrete acid and actually have a flair for a while until his body adjusts.  We usually recommend not stopping cold turkey and decreasing the dose gradually to minimize the extra acid. 

yeah we decreased it slowly every time and it didn't work. :/

[biblionerd]

Feb 19, 2013 23:26:03 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

Feb 19, 2013 22:53:49 GMT -5 rxbeth said:

Did your doctor or pharmacist talk to you about rebound acid production?

You've been giving him the Prevacid for so long that as soon as you stop it (especially cold turkey) that he's going to hypersecrete acid and actually have a flair for a while until his body adjusts.  We usually recommend not stopping cold turkey and decreasing the dose gradually to minimize the extra acid. 

yeah we decreased it slowly every time and it didn't work. :/

how long should we have give the rebound to even out even with tapering?

[rxbeth]

Feb 19, 2013 23:27:52 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

Feb 19, 2013 23:26:03 GMT -5 biblionerd said:

yeah we decreased it slowly every time and it didn't work. :/

how long should we have give the rebound to even out even with tapering?

I don't know if there is any info out there.  My best guess would be a couple weeks, unfortunately.